A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. After a breast lift, some degree of scarring is inevitable, but the amount and appearance of scarring depends on several factors.
Location of Breast Lift Scars
There are a few different incision techniques and scar patterns that can be used during a breast lift procedure. The most common options include:
- Around the areola (periareolar incision)
- Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease (lollipop incision)
- Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease (anchor incision)
The periareolar incision only leaves a thin, circular scar along the outer edge of the areola. This technique can be used for minor lifting and reshaping. The lollipop and anchor techniques are more involved and leave longer scars, but allow the surgeon to address more pronounced sagging.
Appearance of Breast Lift Scars
Here’s what the scars from a breast lift tend to look like:
- Early on: The scars will start out red or pink in color. They will typically be raised and quite noticeable at first.
- After several weeks: The scars will start to fade and flatten out gradually.
- After several months: The scars continue to mature and lighten. They become thinner and smoother over time.
- After 1+ years: Scars are often far less conspicuous a year or more after surgery. However, they rarely disappear completely.
It’s important to keep in mind that scars from a breast lift will be permanent, but they do tend to improve substantially with time. Proper scar care can help minimize scarring throughout the healing process.
Factors That Affect Breast Lift Scarring
Several factors can influence the overall appearance and prominence of scars after a breast lift procedure, including:
- Incision pattern: A periareolar incision leaves the least visible scarring. Anchor and lollipop incisions create more extensive scarring.
- Degree of correction: More lifting and reshaping leads to longer scars.
- Breast size and shape: Scars may be more noticeable on small, perky breasts versus large, ptotic breasts where the scars blend in more.
- Skin elasticity: Scars tend to heal better in young, elastic skin compared to older, less elastic skin.
- Genetics: Some people are just prone to thicker, raised scarring regardless of wound care.
Discuss your particular case with a board-certified plastic surgeon to get a better idea of potential scarring risk factors specific to you.
Scar Care After a Breast Lift
Proper care of your incisions after a breast lift can promote healing and optimize final scar appearance. Here are some tips for scar care and minimization:
- Avoid exposing scars to the sun for at least 12 months. Always use a strong sunblock on incisions to prevent pigmentation changes.
- Massage the scars for a few minutes daily using moisturizer to keep them soft and pliable as they heal.
- Silicone-based scar treatments may help reduce redness and thickness of scars.
- Avoid picking at scabs as they naturally slough off.
- Wear a supportive bra during initial healing to take tension off incisions.
- Don’t use creams or lotions on incisions until fully closed up.
- Follow your surgeon’s recommendations for scar care and consider in-office treatments like laser therapy or steroid injections if scarring is problematic.
Scar Appearance Over Time
Here is a general timeline showing how breast lift scars evolve over the first year post-op:
| Time Frame | Scar Appearance |
|---|---|
| 1 week | Scars will be dark pink or red in color. They will be quite visible and may be swollen and slightly raised initially. |
| 2-4 weeks | Scars remain reddish but swelling goes down. Scars will feel tight. |
| 2 months | Scars start fading to a lighter pink color. Early softening of scars begins. |
| 4 months | Scars continue to lighten and flatten out gradually. Scar tissue softens further. |
| 8-12 months | Scars mature and become paler. They are less raised and rigid. Scars should be far less conspicuous by 1 year post-op. |
While scars will still be noticeable at 1 year, they really do continue improving with more time. It can take 18 months or longer for scars to fully refine.
Results and Patient Satisfaction
Most patients are highly satisfied with their breast lift results and feel the scarring is a reasonable trade-off for the aesthetic improvement achieved. According to plastic surgery statistics:
- 92% of breast lift patients report improved self-esteem after their procedure
- 89% say the results met or exceeded their expectations
- Less than 3% of breast lift patients express regret or dissatisfaction with their scarring
Make sure to communicate your scar concerns to your surgeon so they can help manage expectations and select the most optimal scar pattern for your anatomy and surgical goals.
Conclusion
Some degree of scarring is an inevitable result after a breast lift procedure. The scars tend to start out reddish and prominent, but fade and flatten substantially with proper wound care and time. While breast lift scars are permanent, most patients feel the long-term aesthetic benefits are well worth the scarring trade-off.